Disclaimer see chapter one:
Chapter 6
Above them and somewhat out of sight stood the Great White with Tatiana, watching the happy excited scene beneath the shadow of the starship. The silver-haired female turned to him, seeing herself reflected in his dark brown/amber eyes. With a soft sigh of contentment, she set off at a run down the slight incline of the hill, gathering speed, arms flying to steady her, hair streaming out behind her; she called to Rowena. The woman left her man's side and caught the girl-child up in a swinging embrace laughing and crying they hugged each other.
"Have I missed something?"
"Not much, Brandon," Tom said laughing and joining his Captain under the shadow of the forward section of the starship. Soon the hubbub died down as Rowena and Tatiana, both hand-in-hand walked toward the Captain and her senior officers. The young female stepped up alone in front of Kathryn Janeway.
"I'm sorry, Captain. I didn't mean to cause so much trouble," she said, her voice carrying in the clear morning air. For a moment no-one moved; the strong uniformed female squatted down to the child's level and put a hand round the girls chin and lifted it up to look at her. Janeway smiled. Tatti smiled also and then threw her arms around the woman's neck; Kathryn held her close.
"Next time; you come and tell me where you're going. Alright?" she questioned softly.
"Yes, Captain," her young face alight with a delighted smile.
A howl sounded through the air, yet it wasn't mournful, there was joy in its tone. Soon others joined it. The humans in the valley plain watched and listened to the daylight chorus as it swelled around them. Only the large white N'de was visible, standing tall in the sunlight and glowing with the silver in his white fur coat. The howls continued to swell musically around them, echoing off the dark cliffs; even the bird song had stopped to listen. Slowly the howling chorus died away until a soft breeze stirred in the grasses, causing the bird song to resume and fill the valley air, as if trying to out do the N'de chorus. The people stirred as if from a long sleep, still hearing the howls ringing in their inner ears. Janeway had stood watching him as he'd sung the N'de song, feeling him calling to her. Tatiana had to pull on the woman's sleeve hard to get her attention.
"He said, I could visit," meaning the Great White, Janeway realised. "The obelisk will need to be maintained. Won't it?"
"I'm sure it will, young lady," she responded and then called her people to order as they had data to assess and repairs to complete. "All crew will work one shift, so you can take some relaxation," she said, moving back toward the inside of the ship. Tuvok heard a small voice speak:
//You worried?// it asked him. He softly replied mentally in the affirmative to the little girl, who in some ways reminded him of the daughter he had left behind. //Don't be, Mr. Vulcan. All will be well.// giving him her hand. Quietly he took it and led her back aboard Voyager, to the Mess hall; where the two entertained the crew with some music. She with her new flute him with his Vulcan harp. Harry and his assemble joined in the fun.
/\/\/\/\/\/\
Evening drew in around the lone figure as it walked up toward the obelisk area at the head of the valley plain; yet it didn't reach the alien structure, the figure just turned at the top of the slight rise to survey the scene of the river valley. Torres and her engineering team walked pass the figure without noticing it; making their way back to the starship. The figure watched them, hearing their faint chatter and laughter, as they walked, until it lost them in the gathering shadows of dusk and turned to watch the fiery sky as the sun set behind the western hills.
A pair of dark brown/amber eyes gazed at the lonely figure, hearing the sounds of sleeping bodies stirring behind him. Quietly padding on silent paws he trotted over to join the now seated figure, the slight night breeze bringing her perfumed scent to him.
Something touched her shoulder and she knew of only one person who'd dare to do so, feeling the tension ease out of her as his hands worked around the base of her neck and stiff shoulders. Janeway sighed deeply, eyes closed as the pain ebbed away as his hands worked their usual magic, a sense of peace filling her. It had been some time since she had allowed him to be so close to her, so intimate with her. She opened her eyes, looking down the darkening valley. A soft white muzzle rested companionably on her shoulder.
"Do you want to stay?" she asked quietly, not wanting to break the peace and silence of the gathering night, as her heart hammered away within her. "These N'de are a part of you," she said, not looking round at him, yet she sensed his gentle understanding smile.
"My people are much closer than these N'de, Kathryn," his tone reflecting his characteristic smile, as it broadens. "In a Starship a man sleeps, yet he walks the paths of the N'de for but a little while," he said quietly. Sensing her body stiffening, anxious for what might come next he continued: "The Great White halted the singing metal and thus the first flowering has returned." That was true she reflected silently; for although the lengthening shadows made colour and shapes hard to discern – at least to human eyes – the valley was now a strong fresh green along with the rest of the planet. Once bare limbed trees were dressed in a growing fuzz of bright green, even the birds were still singing; having been silent for so long. The only snow showed on the tops of distant high mountains. The lights from Voyager spilled around the ship lighting up the area, causing night flying creatures to buzz around her like some fly ridden beast. Kathryn Janeway sighed, responsibility weighing heavily upon her as she looked at the resting Starship.
"You're not alone, Kathryn," his voice quiet.
"Maybe," she snapped her tone a little harsher than she meant it to be. "B'Elanna has finished repair to the obelisk, you should be able to reactivate it, to full operations soon," she informed him, still not looking at him. His cold animal nose touched her cheek lightly and then he spoke:
"The Great White melts away to travel the Hanging Road again, from whence he came," his voice sounding distant. Finally she did look round and saw why; the large white lupine had moved away from her, his tail disappearing into a stand of trees. Softly she whispered his name.
Suddenly an owl screeched and flew above her, from one tree stand to the next; as she watched its flight path, she slowly stood up staring at a patch of the night sky, not really believing what her eyes were telling her. For high above her shinning like a beacon was a star pattern she recognised – in reverse.
"Lupus!" she said under her breath, joy making her heart beat a little faster, taking in the bright wolf constellation. The main stars were larger, brighter and higher in the sky than when viewed from earth, but it was still Lupus. A smile of delight spread across her face, as she made her way back to the ship – having left her com-badge in her quarters; on purpose. She had to check the star charts, but she was sure that from this angle one of the stars making up this bright Lupus constellation was Sol, earth's sun, making 'Home' feel that much closer.
/\/\/\/\/\/\
The next new day saw almost the same group of N'de who'd watched the starship land, some four days ago; take to the skies again in the early morning light. Her engines drowned out the dawn chorus and just about everything else. Its landing struts lifted up into the lower body as it flew over them and the still silent obelisk and then up through the clouds, leaving behind an eerie silence, until the birds started to sing their welcome to the new day, once more. Melvern sighed and silently took Chakotay's arm in the traditional warrior's manner.
"Good hunting, Kindred Spirit."
"You also, Great Chief," he said and then added. "Chah-moz-ee." He hugged Hakan for they'd already said their farewells.
"We'll wait at the Oak, Freya," Melvern said calmly as he and Hakan left. The two watched for a moment and then walked to the obelisk. Once inside Chakotay carefully checked all the systems, whilst Freya looked at a PADD he had given her to read. She stared at all the dormant panels in the control room.
"You'll need to give that PADD to Hakan, he'll understand it better," he smiled, working round the room. "Only someone with Tatiana's DNA can return in safety to maintain all this," he explained. "That one will still need an N'de to gain entry."
"So we'll still see young Tatti. I'd like that," she paused gazing at the floor, before looking up at him. "And you?" she asked hesitantly.
"Maybe, Freya; A vision quest! A dream! Who knows," he said tone soft, looking at her sad fair face. "You'd better go." Reluctantly she left him, trotting quickly up the steps out of the obelisk.
Chakotay felt sad and yet strangely assured as he watched her. Something glinting at the bottom of the steps caught his alert eye, he went over and picked it up and smiled; and then set to work bringing the obelisk on-line.
/\/\/\/\/\/\
Aboard Voyager at a safe orbital distant above the almost earth-like planet the ship waited. Torres entered the bridge flustered and annoyed, just as Kim announced that the obelisk had powered up and was working within its programmed parameters. As they watched the planet on the main view screen seemed to fade from sight as its cloaking device activated.
"Mr. Paris set our course for the fourth planet – Kaldora. Standard cruising speed." the conn-officer acknowledged her order and manoeuvred the ship to her new objective. "Lost something, Lieutenant?" Janeway asked of her Chief Engineer, who still stood staring at the view screen.
"What? No, Captain," she said and took her station. The crew quietly went about their business, whilst elsewhere on the ship others got ready to take up residence on their new home with help from their new friends. Whom they had invited to stay for the couple of days it would take to get them settled on Kaldora.
On deck five two people cordially greeted each other; one giving the other a clean bill of health, but still ordered to quarters to rest; adding:
"You can return to full duty once we're on course for the Alpha Quadrant. Is that clear?"
"Yes, Doctor; Very clear." At the main doors he halted on hearing the medic call him by name.
"Welcome home," the EMH said softly. The tattooed male smiled shyly and then left sickbay for his quarters as ordered. As he had several days worth of replicator rations to use the first thing he did was order a small favourite meal along with herbal tea and sat down to enjoy it. Next in line was a long sonic shower set to semi massage; to ease his over tired muscles from his long enforced sleep on the hard bio-beds. He started to read up all the logs for the last week, but after less than an hour, his eyes heavy he took to his bed to sleep without the dreams.
He remained in his quarters – as he was still under Doctor's orders knowing that no one knew of his whereabouts. The crew helped the settlers to set up home on Kaldora – the beautiful gift. It was aptly named; he reflected having read about it in the ships recent logs. Lush fertile valleys, rich in vegetation of all kinds. Rich mineral deposits; that including dilithium which Voyager mined, but only enough for their current needs. Plenty of fresh clean drinking water, large oceans teeming with vibrant marine life. Weather patterns acceptable considering the varied terrain. There was no large sentential life, so the settlers – Kaldorans – would be the only intelligent life on the planet. He sighed deeply and turned from the view of the cloud-shrouded planet that Voyager orbited. Picking up the tool from the table he left his quarters, feeling refreshed – not just physically, but spiritually too.
/\/\/\/\/\/\
Engineering was not the place to be right now, if you wanted the quiet life and hadn't been for the two days they'd been in orbit of Kaldora; as the half human-Klingon female prowled around the area, an angry scowl across her features. Most of her staff on duty kept themselves busy with their assigned tasks, rather than risk the wrath of Lieutenant Torres. Ensign Vorik was not going to be so lucky, not that the Vulcan would have viewed it that way as he needed her assistance. Calmly he approached the pacing woman and then quietly called her by rank.
"What do you want?" she snapped, making the young Vulcan visibly take a step backwards.
At the upper level a male watched the charged scene as the Ensign described the current problem with the plasma injectors. Seeing them both make for the upper area he quietly left. Torres reached the console on the top level and stared. Sitting on one of the panels was her engineering tool that she'd been searching for over the last two days. Vorik said nothing as the female picked it up and looked it over as if she'd never seen it before.
"Lieutenant! There appears to be a message," he said calmly pointing to the softly flashing screen on which the tool had been sitting. Blinking dazed she quickly called it up:
/A good engineer needs her tools. Not forgetting the bruises!/ she read, making her smile.
"We'd better see to that plasma problem," her tone clear, switching off the message screen.
Tool in hand she and Ensign Vorik got to work and Engineering breathed a collective sigh of relief.
/\/\/\/\/\/\
To the Talaxian – Neelix – the smaller of the two figures, who occupied the empty Mess Hall at that moment, seemed sad and unsure of herself. Hearing the main doors swish open, he looked in that direction and felt elated with relief and surprised delight at the male who'd entered.
Paris turned and grinned, then noted cheekily:
"Well; if it isn't 'Sleeping Beauty' himself," he said, alerting his young silver-haired charge to the Commander's silent presence. "I'd better get back to the bridge. You'll be in safe hands now," he told her and left her side. The girl-child only nodded, not taking her eyes off the uniformed and tattooed male. As Paris came close to him, the other caught his arm and held it in the traditional warrior's manner. Neelix watched wondering as Tom smiled and then squeezed the other's upper arm companionably, before moving past his friend and left. Chakotay smiled warmly at the Talaxian, before he squatted down and held his arm wide, a gentle welcoming smile on his face.
Tatiana ran to him, flinging her small arms around his neck, burying herself into his large warm strong bulk. There were no words, none were needed; he carefully disentangled himself and lifted her face up by her chin to look at him. Something passed between them as they gazed at each other. She saw reflected in his dark eyes not herself, but how she'd first seen him, the tall white Lupine surrounded by the trees in the dark snowy night. It was she who broke the contact first this time. Chakotay stood and took her hand in his; they silently left the Mess Hall. Neelix blinked away some tears feeling happy that the male was back with them and that the little alien female was happier than when she'd first come to his domain with Tom Paris.
/\/\/\/\/\/\
Transporter room two was somewhat chaotic when the Commander arrived with his young charge and he dismissed the crewman on duty. The three adults there stared at him; the older male spoke first, as the doors closed behind the departed crewman.
"I'm pleased you could make it." The tattooed male smiled warmly, which had the burly gruff ginger-haired male stepping forward to extend his hand. Chakotay clasped it firmly.
"Good hunting, Brandon," his voice strong. Tatiana looked from one male to the other towering over her. She squeezed Chakotay's hand before letting it go, to tug on Brandon's tunic. Startled he let go of the Commander's hand; bending down he swiftly lifted the girl-child up into his arm. She giggled in delight, her arms around his neck as he carried her up onto the transporter platform, where Phelan waited his bright blue eyes taking everything in. Rowena touched this quiet gentle man, gaining his attention; she smiled hesitantly, hearing her babies whimpering she took his hand saying:
"There's someone I'd like you to meet," drawing him close to the Moses basket that sat on the platform. Inside Chakotay saw two small forms, one silver-haired like Tatti, the other a soft ginger colour, with a smattering of freckles across her nose. "The boy I've named Olan. It means inheritor." The male looked at her startled. "Neelix told me about you being such," smiling and noting that her daughter held one of his fingers in a tight little fist. "Her name is Owissa."
"Bluebird; Harbinger of spring," he said, standing up straight and helped her up onto the platform. Rowena found herself gazing deep into his dark brown eyes, which in the rooms lighting almost seemed slightly amber coloured, like wolf eyes. Janeway's voice came over the com-system.
"Have all our guests departed?"
"We're just about to," Phelan answered, as Chakotay stepped up behind the operating console.
"Safe journey home, Kindred Spirit," Rowena said as the transporter whined into operation and their figures vanished in a blue haze, leaving the place empty. Savouring the peace a moment, before he touched his com-badge and spoke:
"Transporter room two to bridge," he paused knowing the stir his voice would be causing. "Transports complete."
"Chakotay?!" He smiled at the female's astonished voice.
"Yes, Captain," he replied and left the area.
/\/\/\/\/\/\
That evening with the stars streaking past the view ports, the red-head gazed at the male sitting opposite her over the rim of her coffee cup; the remains of their recent meal spread on the table between them. He smiled amused and the spoke:
"Am I that fascinating, Kathryn?" he asked amused by her reaction as she'd obviously been deep in thought.
"It seems so long a time since I last saw you sitting there. And I thought…"
"I wouldn't be here again?" he finished for her. He carefully put his coffee cup down on the littered table, his expression serious. "I meant what I said. My people are much closer than the N'de of Abnaki – Morning land," looking her straight in the eye. Suddenly his face broke into a broad welcoming smile. Her eyes opened wide with the realisation of what he meant.
"VOYAGER!" she exclaimed. "I think I ought to lock you up in the brig for a week! Honestly, Chakotay!" her tone like that of a mother scolding a wayward child.
"I'm sorry, Kathryn," he sighed, leaning back into his seat. "I was just unsure of my place. Not here on Voyager, that I've never doubted." Janeway said nothing, putting her cup down; for he was now confiding in her, telling her his worries. "It is more my place in the Alpha Quadrant particularly with Starfleet. Will it be as rosy as that…thing made it to be or what?" He obviously wasn't expecting an answer, because she had none; thus she waited for him to continue. "I was never at home or at peace with my birth-tribe – a contrary. Nor for that matter in Starfleet, I was always chafing at the bit, so-to-speak. Even the Maquis offered me no peace – inner peace," he looked up at her. "Only here aboard Voyager, have I truly felt at home, at peace, with a purpose. Among people I can really call family," he smiled softly, seeing a corresponding smile from her.
"You remember that story I told you about the 'Angry Warrior'?" She nodded not daring herself to speak, wondering and fearing what was obviously coming next. "At that time I wanted there to be more between us, yet you spurned me. Please let me finish, Kathryn," stalling her attempt to say something; again she nodded, waiting as she leaned back into her own chair.
"And there is. But not quite what I was hoping for or expected," he said pausing to note her puzzled expression. "You, Kathryn Janeway are Shikasha."
The word threw her and the fact that he had stopped speaking at that point. 'What did it mean?' she wondered, vaguely aware of him standing and advising that she not stay up too late. It was the doors swishing closed behind him that brought her back to the present; to realise that she was alone, with only the cluttered table to remind her that he'd been there.
"Shikasha!" she whispered, wondering anew just what it meant. She knew it must have some special significance to Chakotay – who was truly N'de – or he would not have used it. Stretching her tired frame she left the table and took to her bed and slept soundly for the first time since this episode with Cmdr. Chakotay began.
/\/\/\/\/\/\
Harry Kim was walking down the corridor on deck six, having finished his duty shift for that day; when on passing holodeck one he halted. Moving closer to the door he listened.
"Music!" he said startled, so he had heard right, looking to see what programme was running. It was not one he recognised and it didn't say who was running it, but as the doors were unlocked he decided to quietly slip inside.
He found himself standing in a shady forest at about mid-afternoon in the springtime. The music swelled around him, which blended with the landscape of mixed broad-leaved and evergreen trees, with spring flowers pushing up through the forest floor. Moving forward toward the source of the strange lilting musical sounds, he was wishing he'd thought to bring his clarinet with him, so that he could have joined in the joyous chorus.
Abruptly the music stopped, as did the forest; there before him in the open meadow was a very familiar male figure, dressed in home-spun brown tunic and pants. Harry crouched down in the undergrowth for there was no mistaking the male, only the uniform was different and yet him.
"Chakotay," he whispered, watching as the man brought a large long yellowish pipe of about a 40cm in length, to his lips and played.
The computer was supplying all the other instruments to enhance the melody of the large reed flute the male was playing, with obvious skill. Harry Kim wanted to play along, as the music swelled through him.
Chakotay let the music he played flow through him, turning taking in the sights of the forested valley. It was when he caught sight of the uniformed figure crouching in the undergrowth; he stopped playing, startled and embarrassed. Realising he'd been spotted, the young Ensign got to his feet and came toward him; his Asian features worried. Chakotay relaxed a little, seeing it was Harry Kim, who was still easy to read, even if he thought he was hiding it.
"Harry?" he questioned, covering his own unease better than the Ensign.
"Sorry, Sir; I heard the music and as the holodeck wasn't locked, I came to see who was playing. It is beautiful." They stood looking at one another for a moment; Chakotay handed Harry the large reed flute to look over. The young man took it and stroked it lovingly.
"It is called a Quencho. It's made of the same reeds as pan-pipes, by the Indians that came from the country known as Bolivia," he informed, answering the others unspoken question. "Go ahead, give it a try," he encouraged. Harry Kim placed the mouth piece to his lips and blew; what came out made them both wince.
"I'll stick to my clarinet, thank you," he said handing it back. "I didn't know you played?"
"I didn't," he replied caressing the instrument. "Please sit down, Harry," indicating the rug spread on the ground near their feet. Both sat; Chakotay sank down cross-legged. Kim didn't quite manage it as smoothly as the Commander, but was soon seated in front of the man. "You remember Abnaki?" Chakotay began. Kim nodded solemnly; who could forget that time about a month ago, now; Chakotay in a coma, humanoid settlers, from a possibly dead and distant planet, the alien obelisk, known to be the work of a race called The Preservers and the wolves.
"When I checked Voyager's database, I came across some information that I don't think had been there before, or had been entered by the crew. It included this instrument and the music."
"The E-band emissions," he said. "I'd always thought they'd only been affecting you. It explains one or two things that didn't make sense at the time," he said shrugging his shoulders. Chakotay smiled softly amused. "Chakotay; May I bring my clarinet and join you?" his face eager.
"My session here is almost over for today," he said. Noting the disappointment on the Asian face he added: "Next time, Harry."
"How about tomorrow? I have some time booked," he said brightly. The tattooed male nodded and got to his feet.
"I will not be giving a public performance, Ensign. So don't even think about it," his voice firm.
"Right, Sir," he acknowledged as he stood. Chakotay ended the programme; the forest glade and sunlit meadow vanished, leaving them standing in the inactive bare holodeck. He carefully wrapped the Quencho in the buckskin cloth he'd had tucked into his belt and then the two of them left the area in companionable silence.
/\/\/\/\/\/\
Childish shrieks of delight sounded through the sun warmed spring air, above the constant rhythmic pulse of the waves on the wooded shore. An adult voice called and the childish laughter retreated into the green fuzzed trees that lined the sandy shore. A lone cautious small figure stepped out of the stand of trees; its fair almost white hair lifting in the breeze coming off the sea. The young girl-child stood gazing at the wide expanse of the moving water, wondering at the changing colour and beauty of it.
Suddenly she realised she was not alone on the empty shore; just when she'd become aware of him she wasn't quite sure. Heart racing, she slowly turned to look at where he stood. He also was gazing out to the distant sea horizon near the western end, where a rocky outcrop fell into the sea surf. He was a solid, strongly built individual, dark of hair and eye with the tribal marking over his left one; dressed in home-spun brown garments of tunic and pants with a strange beaded pattern running round the tunic, somewhere between his waist and its hem-line. He also carried a large reed flute.
The male breathed deep and turned to smile at her and then walked quietly over the sand toward where she was rooted to the spot. His voice when he spoke was rich, warm and filled with the certain assurance that came with life's experiences. What he said didn't seem to matter, yet she did manage to tell him her name; Wenonah. His repeating it sent her youthful senses soaring, like the dark winged eagles fly.
"You from these parts?" she asked, finally finding her voice to speak a full sentence; her heart pounding with excitement at his closeness, taking careful note of the beaded pattern on his tunic.
"The paths of the N'de will always cross," he told her cryptically, his smile as warm as the sun at full 'big leaf' – mid-summer.
"Do you have a name?" she asked, wondering why he appeared to avoid giving her, a direct answer to her questions. Her mother's voice sounded from somewhere behind her, causing the male to softly whisper the callers name.
"Ask your mother; she knows," he said, taking a step backwards as if to leave.
"Will I see you again?" anxious, hoping to keep him there.
"Maybe," he responded, his smile reaching his brown/amber eyes. The westering sun moved his shadow to stand between them and touch her; as she called over her shoulder to her mother, thus she'd taken her eyes off him for but a moment, for when she looked back at him, the beach was empty. She took a step forward able now to move; only her momentum was brought to an abrupt halt by her mother grabbing her arm. Angry and anxious the adult female brought her daughter round to face her.
"When I call you, I expect you to obey, Wenonah. You know full well you should not be here," she scolded. Puzzled by her daughter's silent, anxious and disappointed expression, she spoke her name in a questioning manner.
"He is gone!" her amber eyes brimming with tears.
"Who is gone, Wenonah?" she asked gently and listened as the girl-child described the male who'd spoken to her; the dusk deepening around them, the woman felt a thrill of excitement shiver through her body, whilst looking out at the dark calm sea. "Did he say his name?" her words quiet.
"No!" she pouted. "He said to ask you," her tone grumpy; like that of a spoilt child not getting its own way. She squatted down to her white-haired daughter's level, hearing her mate call:
"Wenonah! Freya!"
"We're coming, my love," she called back and smiled at the girl-child, holding her close. "He is Kindred Spirit," she whispered softly. In the darkening sky over her mother's shoulder hung the star pattern of Lupus, bright and glittering. Wenonah felt it call to her, yet she said nothing as the pair of them disappeared into the stand of trees, leaving behind the empty beach with only two sets of paw prints in the soft sand.
/\/\/\/\/\/\
Completed: May 2001
Glossary:-
Hanging Road/Long Way Milky Way Galaxy.
Dakota/Lakota Friend, aka Sioux Rattlesnake.
Apache Enemy, aka Chokonen People of the Rising Sun.
Shikasha brother.
N'de the People.
Wise Ones the Preservers.
New Leaf spring.
Big Leaf summer.